July 31st

There were a couple of Wheatear on Crouch Hill, Stanpit, this morning, as well as 2 Yellow Wagtail over, plus 5 Willow Warbler and up to 8 Blackcap in the North Scrubs. Meanwhile, a further 9 Willow Warbler were on Wick, where there was also a couple of Lesser Whitethroat. Over 18 Whimbrel were inside the harbour, along with 2 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin; while 3 Sanderling, 3 Ringed Plover and a Turnstone were on the sandspit. At least 100 Sandwich Tern rested about the area and a small number of Common Tern moved through to the west. Rounding up, the Mediterranean Gull total for the day was thirteen, of which nine were birds of the year. 

July 30th

Despite the very strong, onshore breeze, there was little out of the ordinary to be seen from Mudeford Quay this morning; in fact, perhaps less than on a more-expected July day. A couple of Fulmar, 9 Common Tern, 20 Sandwich Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gull and a Gannet were the sum total of a 3-hour watch.  

July 29th

As touched-on yesterday, the migrant passerines are now starting to appear for the start of their journey back to sub-Saharan Africa. Across the site today, these included: 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, 10 or so Willow Warbler, one of them in song and an out-of-place Reed Warbler. Meanwhile, but intending to travel much less far, there was an increase of Chiffchaff in the North Scrubs to a dozen.  

July 28th

Oystercatcher this morning Gary Foyle

Mute Swan at Stanpit Robert Gray

It was a quieter day for news the best of the wader information being the Greenshank and Whimbrel still in Holloways Dock, and a Common Sandpiper off Fishermans Bank. There was a pick-up in migrant passerines, however, as 7 Willow Warbler were across Wick Fields; where a House Martin overflew and a Bullfinch was along Roebury Lane. The full Outdoor Meeting programme for 2019 has now been fixed. Details...

July 27th

Oystercatcher and Sanderling Jackie Smith

... and the Sanderling Gary Foyle

A Cattle Egret flew from Wick to Stanpit at 06:35, but wasnt seen subsequently. Otherwise, the day is mostly about waders. Green Sandpiper were recorded at Wick and Stanpit, while the marsh also turned in: a Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Sanderling, 7 Whimbrel, 16 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone and a Snipe; with Hengistbury returning a Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, a Sanderling, 10 Dunlin and a Turnstone. During the morning, Holloways Dock hosted 9 Mediterranean Gull five of them juveniles as well as forty or so Sandwich Tern. The returning Teal, two birds, were at Stanpit; a Swallow was over Hengistbury; small numbers of Swift passed over throughout; a Kingfisher was on Wick; and a juvenile Sedge Warbler attempted a bit of song atop a bush by the HHC. 

July 26th

A male Marsh Harrier visited Stanpit around 8:15 this morning the first of that species for quite some time. Meanwhile the returning-migrant waders included: the Greenshank and Whimbrel in Holloways Dock; 2 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin and a Turnstone on the sandspit; and 3 Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel and 17 Dunlin at Stanpit. The Oystercatcher chick is still be well fed and looked after by its parents an article on the event appeared in todays Echo...

July 25th

 Juvenile and adult Dunlin on the sandspit Gary Foyle

The only migrant news comes from Wick, over which 3 Mediterranean Gull an adult pair with one offspring passed west, as did 2 Common Tern. Meanwhile, the remaining Oystercatcher chick is still doing well, despite being picked up and cuddled by a parent and child earlier in the week. 

July 24th

Adult Reed Warbler, of which some are still having a go at singing Alan Crockard

Green Sandpiper were at Stanpit morning and evening, while 2 Little Ringed Plover headed through early on, one left south over Hengistbury and another was heard several times a couple of hours later. Other waders across the site included: a Greenshank again in Holloways Dock, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Ringed Plover and some Whimbrel calls. There was a hint of hirundine and Swift departure around 240 Sand Martin and 58 Swallow trickling south, as well as eighteen of the latter. Passerines are now also making their way back, as a Yellow Wagtail passed over the marsh and a Willow Warbler sang in the Wood. Rounding up, a Peregrine and Buzzard were above Stanpit, and Little Grebe remain on the Ironstone Quarry. 

July 23rd

A Garden Warbler in the North Scrubs at Stanpit was a great record, but the only other passerine interest comes from a Kingfisher on Wick Hams. Wader-wise, a Greenshank was in Holloways Dock and 3 Common Sandpiper, 10 Whimbrel, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and 22 Dunlin. The only other news is of 2 Common Tern over and a showy Water Rail in Parky Meade Rail. 

July 22nd

A reasonable selection of terns off Mudeford Quay this morning comprised: 3 Little Tern, 15 Common Tern and 35 Sandwich Tern; while a couple of Whimbrel arrived, a Common Scoter headed towards the Solent and 7 Gannet fished in the bay. Meanwhile, from Fishermans Bank, there were a further 4 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Dunlin and 15 Curlew. Over on Wick, there were 3 Willow Warbler by the Wooden Bridge. 

July 21st

The only news for the day is of the autumn's first Willow Warbler by the Wooden Bridge on Wick. 

July 20th

This afternoon, when the morning cloud gave way to sunshine, migrants waders around the Oystercatcher site, which is still in good order, included: single adults of Sanderling and Dunlin, which seemed inseparable; and a couple of adult Turnstone that was accompanied by a juvenile Dunlin. Earlier, the lingering Whimbrel was again in Holloways Dock. Otherwise, its just a juvenile Mediterranean Gull over Barn Bight and a Lesser Whitethroat on Wick to mention. 

July 19th

Oystercatcher David Faulkner

There are thin pickings from a thoroughly damp day. In addition to a male Bullfinch on Wick, there was a Whimbrel and 4 Black-tailed Godwit inside the harbour, while a couple of adult Common Tern fed inside the harbour.

July 18th

Other than the two Oystercatcher chicks still being alive and well, all the days news comes from an evening circuit of Stanpit; where a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel and 3 Dunlin were the pick of the waders, as well as 28 Curlew, 43 Redshank and 28 Lapwing. A Common Gull was the first of the autumn, while 19 Mediterranean Gull were on site. 

July 17th

There are now 2 Oystercatcher chicks! Gary Foyle

Two Whimbrel in Holloway's Dock and a pair of Little Grebe on the Ironstone Quarry, the latter presumably going for their now traditional late-season breeding routine, is the only news for the day. Moving back to the Oystercatcher breeding, it is now reckoned these are the first chicks in the recording area since 1956!

July 16th

Oystercatcher chick and egg on Mudeford Sandspit the first breeding in the recording area in living memory Gary Foyle

The only news so far involves a single Common Tern west over the harbour and a Lesser Whitethroat on Wick. 

July 15th

Essex Skipper Chris Chapleo

Small Skipper both these near-identical species are currently on the wing at Hengistbury - Chris Chapleo

A Little Ringed Plover flew around Stanpit this morning, but wasnt actually seen; while other waders there included: 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Dunlin and 42 Redshank. What was probably a further Whimbrel was in Holloways Dock and two adult Little Grebe were on the Ironstone Quarry. 

July 14th

The only report for today is of a Whimbrel in Holloway's Dock. 

July 13th

In addition to an adult Yellow-legged Gull around Barn Bight, there were 8 Mediterranean Gull four of them juveniles at Stanpit. Also about the marsh during the morning, singles of Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank over, plus 4 Whimbrel and 5 Dunlin settled; while 25 Lapwing were on Wick Hams. By the evening, however, there were two decked Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, a further Whimbrel and an over-flying Black-tailed Godwit. Some of the Sandwich Tern which use the area are now coming out of their breeding plumage and three juvenile Stonechat were on Crouch Hill. 

July 12th

Mediterranean Gull with the inappropriately named Blackheaded Gull at Stanpit last night - Scott Usher

This one a secondsummer bird - Scott Usher

Greenshank also from yesterday Ian Wigley

Outside of the autumn passage period, House Martin are not easy to encounter in the area, so one around Wick Farm meadows this morning was something of a surprise. A Sedge Warbler was still in song in the same area and an adult Little Grebe was again on the Ironstone Quarry. 

July 11th

A Greenshank was in Holloways Dock this morning; while, viewable from Fisherman Bank, were four each of Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, as well as 12 Dunlin. 

July 10th

There was a selection of juvenile gulls and terns off Mudeford Quay today; namely a Yellow-legged Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Sandwich Tern the latter the first youngsters of the year to visit from a nearby colony. Also from the quay, a Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper; while a Greenshank was in Holloways Dock. Rounding up, an adult Little Grebe was on the Ironstone Quarry.

July 9th

Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper Scott Usher

Common Sandpiper Scott Usher

Its more travelling waders which make up the bulk of todays post. A total of 4 Whimbrel were logged, but three quickly headed off to the east; as well as 2 Common Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Dunlin, plus 17 Curlew and 5 Redshank. The only other point of interest involves a couple of Gadwall. 

July 8th

The waders are now moving through, or returning to, Stanpit; as their breeding season further north draws to a close. The longer-distance migrants included: 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 2 Turnstone; while those travelling a shorter way comprised 20 Curlew, 26 Redshank and around 30 Oystercatcher. At least three, adult Mediterranean Gull were around, plus a single Common Tern. 

July 7th

Nine young Shelduck, accompanied by their parents, were in Barn Bight this morning; while 3 Black-tailed Godwit headed west over there. The only other snippet is of a Lesser Whitethroat again on Wick. 

July 6th

It was another very warm day, when the first juvenile Yellow-legged Gull of the year to cross the Channel and visit our recording area was seen from Mudeford Quay. Also from that spot, 4 Common Tern and a Fulmar. 

July 5th

Great Blackbacked Gull Robin Harley

The female Oystercatcher is still sitting tight on the nest Robin Harley

There were probably 3 Common Sandpiper in the harbour today, as well as a big increase in Redshank to over 25 birds. Otherwise, however, it was slow going just 2 Common Tern and Bullfinch from Wick, plus a pair of Mediterranean Gull over. 

July 4th

The fine run of weather continues and it just doesnt seem right that birds are already returning from their spring travels. That said, a couple of Green Sandpiper over Stanpit were pretty much on cue for the date, with a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 15 Curlew and 35 Lapwing settled about the marsh. Meanwhile, and to the converse, a Lesser Whitethroat was in song on Wick so may be thinking about a second brood. The only other news is of a Bullfinch by the Wooden Bridge. 

July 3rd

Greenfinch Roger Tidball

The best today was 5 Knot in breeding plumage, potentially still on their way to the far north; while a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin and 12 Curlew were all almost certainly on the return trip. A couple of adult Mediterranean Gull passed west, an adult Little Grebe was on the Lily Pond and there was a fledge of Dartford Warbler on the Barn Field. 

July 2nd

Despite the greyish tones to the plumage, when the more conventional literature shows them as brown, this is presumably a juvenile Cuckoo Charlie Jarvis

July 1st

There are, unfortunately, no reports for today.